CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A man who went into a St. Thomas business and fired his gun was given 2.75 years in prison after his conviction on illegal gun charges earlier this year.
Arnold Malone, 44, of St. Thomas, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said.
According to court documents, on August 22, 2019, Virgin Islands Police Department officers responded to a call that a man had discharged a firearm on St. Thomas.
When the officers arrived, they were unable to locate the man. Moments later, Central Dispatch advised the officers that the man had returned and discharged his firearm inside of a business establishment after he was denied entry by the manager.
The officers traveled to the business establishment, and the manager advised them that the man was in the alley.
Officers made contact with the man, who was later identified as Arnold Malone, and asked to speak with him in reference to the shooting.
Officers asked Malone if he had a license to possess a firearm in the United States Virgin Islands. The defendant responded that he did not.
Officers conducted a pat down of Malone and discovered a Lallamar
Minimax X45 .45 caliber, with an extended magazine containing nine (9) rounds.
Prior to August 22, 2019, Malone had been convicted of attempted first degree murder and carrying/use of a dangerous weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
Malone was convicted of the illegal gun charge in U.S. District Court on January 13.
He was not authorized to carry a firearm under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) in conjunction with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Juan Albino.